BEARS AT PENGUINS: The Hershey Bears close the 2017 preseason schedule by rematching with their I-81 rival, the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins. Hershey claimed a 5-1 win at Wilkes-Barre/Scranton in the preseason opener on Wednesday. This is Hershey’s final preseason game ahead of the regular season opener on Oct. 7 at Lehigh Valley. Seating is general admission and all tickets are just $12! Score tickets at the Giant Center Box Office, by calling 717-534-3911, or online via Ticketmaster.

WINNING WEDNESDAY: Forwards Dustin Gazley and Mathias Bau led the way as the Hershey Bears scored a 5-1 win over the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins in Wednesday's preseason opener at the Mohegan Sun Arena. Gazley had two goals and an assist, Bau notched three assists, and netminder Parker Milner went the distance in goal, stopping 16 Wilkes-Barre/Scranton shots to earn the victory. Hershey outshot Wilkes-Barre/Scranton 31-18 in the contest. The Bears were 2-for-8 on the power play while the Penguins were 0-for-2

FEELS LIKE THE FIRST TIME: While it’s just the preseason, seven players will get to skate at the Giant Center as a member of the Bears for the first time tonight. Included in that group are key Washington free agent signings Wayne Simpson and John Albert. Simpson, who scored two goals in Game 7 for Providence last year at Giant Center, enjoyed a breakout season last year, finishing with 49 points, and 14 more in the playoffs. The former South Carolina Stingrays signed his first NHL deal with the Capitals on Jul. 11. Albert was the captain of the Manitoba Moose in 2015-16 and scored 28 goals with St. John’s in 2013-14.

TRYOUT TIME: Currently the Bears have seven players on tryouts in training camp, including several notable names who are in the lineup tonight. Forward Matt Carey posted 21 goals in Hartford last season, good for second on the Wolf Pack. The 6-foot-1, 205-pound forward has played two NHL games with Chicago. Also on a tryout is forward Jeremy Langlois who deposited a career-best 34 points with San Jose in 2015-16.

CROSSING ENEMY LINES: Wilkes-Barre/Scranton’s roster features former Hershey forward Christian Thomas. The forward set career bests in goals (24), assists (25), and points (49) with Hershey last season. It’s no wonder Wilkes-Barre/Scranton signed Thomas as he was a thorn in the Penguins’ sides last season. Thomas had nine points (four goals, five assists) versus the Penguins in 2016-17. On Hershey’s side, former Penguin Zach Sill will skate tonight for the Bears. He played five seasons with Wilkes-Barre/Scranton before joining the Bears two seasons ago.

BEARS-PENGUINS FAST FACTS: Hershey is slated to start goaltender Parker Milner between the pipes this evening. He was strong in Wednesday's preseason game, earning the win and stopping 16 shots. Milner is a Pittsburgh native and went 3-2-0 with Hershey in five games last year. He led the South Carolina Stingrays (ECHL) to 2017 Kelly Cup Finals...Hampus Gustafsson and Jeremy Langlois both also had goals versus the Penguins Wednesday and will once again be in the lineup tonight…Tom Mele had the lone goal for the Penguins on Wednesday, but was among four skaters sent to Wilkes-Barre/Scranton’s ECHL affiliate, the Wheeling Nailers, on Thursday…The Bears were 2-1-3 at Giant Center versus the Penguins last year.